Rob and I met April 2, 2011 at Panera Bread after a brief online meeting through OKCupid.com. It was his birthday, and I brought him a leather journal and a pair of argyle socks to break the ice. These simple gifts turned out to be the best investments I could have made! Once I landed my eyes on this gorgeous man donning countless pieces of metal in his face and a khaki kilt, I was sold! After only one hour, we hugged goodbye, so he could get back to work. Everything about us said we came from two different worlds. Yet, both of us were drawn back to one another again and again.

Our worlds have turned out to mesh better than we could have ever imagined, and we are so excited to have everyone join us to celebrate our union!

Every year, Rob and I go to the APP (Association for Professional Piercers) Conference for a week in June in Las Vegas. We were attending the Thursday night banquet when Rob informed me that someone just asked him to speak to the hundreds of attendees about how the piercers are like family.  Rob had several Jack & Cokes lined up and was acting nervous.  He speaks in front of large groups all of the time and never seemed this worried.  I tried helping him create an outline for his impromptu speech, but he kept pacing and drinking.  He asked if I would come up with him to demonstrate that I am also a part of his family. I said, "Sure!"

When the time came for him to go up, I tailed behind him trying to avoid the actual spotlight.  His friend pushed me forward into the center where Rob stood.  He began a "normal" speech about family and then began talking about me.  He discussed who I was as a single mom, what I did for my job and my education, and it felt like information they would not care to hear. So, I did what any normal woman would do and began dancing a little jig.  When I turned around, he was on his knee asking me if I would marry him.  He presented me with the most beautiful chocolate diamond and rose gold ring that HE designed. I just started shaking and eventually whispered a, "Yes," into the microphone.  I wanted to shout it as loud as I could, but I was so shocked that a whisper was all I could get out of my mouth.  

When I sat back down, Rob immediately left me returning with a styrofoam cooler.  I asked if he got me salmon!  He opened it and pulled out a pie tin wrapped in foil.  I immediately began sobbing into his shoulder.  Rob had made the Hot Fudge Sundae Pie that my mom used to make me when I was a girl.  She passed away in 2002, so it was the most amazing gesture of love Rob could have made for me.  He went through so much effort to get the frozen dessert made in Des Moines and shipped to Las Vegas.  I still get tears in my eyes just recollecting that moment. 

We will be getting married August 2, 2014 in Banff, Alberta, Canada.  Rob's family is from the Calgary area, and my family lives in Cleveland and Portland, so we figured Banff would be a perfect spot for everyone to meet.  We have been to Banff together a few times, and every visit has been spectactular.  The wedding will be at 11am at Buffalo Mountain Lodge.  The reception will start two hours after the wedding.  

If you are invited as a guest to our wedding in Canada, please make reservations for Friday and Saturday (Aug. 1 and 2, 2014) through http://www.crmr.com/buffalo/ or call toll-free 1-800-661-1367. I recommend calling, because the rate for our block is about $100 less than the online rate.  

We are having a dinner reception at Bistro Montage at 6pm on August 16, 2014.  We celebrated our 2-year anniversary at this location, and we just love the intimacy, ambiance, staff, and food of this wonderful Des Moines restaurant. 

If you are invited as a guest to our wedding reception in Des Moines, please check out the website to Bistro Montage:http://www.bistromontage.com/

(Note: This location and time is different from the original plan!) 

I am surprising Rob with the location of our honeymoon... but it will be AWESOME!!! Details to follow...